By Cindy Wood, Catholic Information Service • Posted August 13, 2025

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin ready to fulfill in Alaska Aug. 15, Pope Leo XIV prayed that world leaders would acknowledge the impression their actions have on the native inhabitants.

“Could those that make choices all the time consider their accountability for the results their decisions have on populations. Could they not ignore the wants of essentially the most susceptible and the common want for peace,” the pope mentioned Aug. 10.

After main the recitation of the Angelus prayer with guests in St. Peter’s Sq., Pope Leo talked about the Aug. 6 and Aug. 9 commemorations of the eightieth anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The commemorations have “woke up on this planet a rightful rejection of warfare as a method of resolving conflicts,” the pope mentioned. “Allow us to proceed to wish for an finish to wars.”

Pope Leo didn’t point out Trump and Putin by identify nor did he pray particularly for an finish to Russia’s warfare on Ukraine.

The pope did congratulate Armenia and Azerbaijan for signing a peace settlement throughout a ceremony hosted by Trump on the White Home Aug. 8. Pope Leo prayed that “the occasion could contribute to a steady and lasting peace within the South Caucasus” after many years of battle.

And he appealed to the worldwide neighborhood to behave swiftly to convey peace and stability to Haiti.

“The state of affairs of the inhabitants in Haiti is turning into more and more determined,” the pope mentioned. “Experiences proceed of killings, all types of violence, human trafficking, compelled exiles and kidnappings.”

“I make a heartfelt attraction to all accountable events that the hostages be launched instantly, and I name for concrete assist from the worldwide neighborhood to create the social and institutional circumstances that can permit Haitians to stay in peace,” the pope mentioned.